Berberis thunbergii plant named `Monry`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct selection of Golden Barberry shrub which shall be referred to hereinafter as Berberis thunbergii `Monry`. Berberis thunbergii `Monry` differs distinctively from other Berberis thunbergii plants by its unique combination of early flower clusters and yellowish foliage produced along terminal branch tips and an upright vase-shaped shrub habit with brilliant yellow mature foliage that tolerates full sun without burning.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

This invention relates to a new and distinct selection of Berberisthunbergii, a member of the Berberidaceae or Barberry family. Berberisthunbergii `Monry` was discovered in a group of seedlings in 1977. Theseedlings were a product of an uncontrolled cross but believed to beBerberis thunbergii `Aurea` crossed with Berberis thunbergii `Kobold`.This seedling was selected from 50 to 100 other seedlings as itexhibited relatively stout stiff branches and much smaller foliage thanother selections. My new selection has been asexually reproduced bycuttings since the discovery at H E Nursery, R.R. 3, Box 4, Litchfield,Ill. 62056 and later at Monrovia Nursery Company, 13455 S. E. LafayetteHwy., Dayton, Oreg. The original seedlings displayed extremevariability, therefore the distinct phenotypic characteristics of my newselection that sets this plant apart from other Berberis thunbergiiplants would likely be lost through sexual reproduction. Therefore,sexual reproduction does not breed true to type and propagation isaccomplished by asexual reproduction by cuttings.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Berberis thunbergii `Monry` is unusual as it possesses an upright vaseshape shrubby habit, whereas typical Berberis thunbergii cv. Aurea is arounded shrub 11/3 meters in height and with thin branches. My newselection after 10 years is 1 meter tall and 1 meter wide with smallerfoliage and stouter branches when compared with cultivar Aurea. CultivarBogazam, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,215 is smaller in comparison 45centimeters tall and 90 centimeters wide and has larger foliage.Cultivar Monlers U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,577 is a smaller in comparison,37 centimeters tall and wide and possesses larger foliage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows `Monry`, depicting the golden spring foliage and the openupright vase-shaped habit. Cultivars `Monler` and `Bogazam` both have atight dense growth habit.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the upright vase-shaped habit and thebrilliant yellow mature foliage.

FIG. 3 depicts 3 year old container-grown plants and growth andbranching habits. Berberis thunbergii `Monlers`, U.S. Plant Pat. No.9,577 is on the left, an unnamed variety of Berberis thunbergii in thecenter and the new variety on the right. The differences in thebranching habits are apparent with the upright vase shaped yet dwarfhabit of the new variety. Note also the newly emerged foliage whichpresents itself earlier in the season when compared to the otherselections.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Below is a detailed description of my new selection of Berberisthunbergii `Monry`, the color terminology is from The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. Plant description taken fromcontainerized plants February 1998 grown in Azusa, Calif. (unlessotherwise noted.)

Overall size and habit: Deciduous, upright vase-shaped shrub. After tenyears of age the plant has achieved a height of 1 meter and spread of 1meter.

Flowers: Perfect; Full anthesis first week of February, early incomparison to cultivar Monlers and cultivar Aurea.

Color.--Petals: Six; Fully expanded Green -- Yellow Group 1B and 1CSepals: Six, Surrounding petals in bud stage prior to anthesis Orange --Red Group 32A. At anthesis Orange-Red Group 32A fades to Orange-RedGroup 32D or fades to Green-Yellow Group 1B and 1C.

Number.--In fascicles of normally 4 though ranging from 2 to 5.

Stems.--Current growth exposed to sun -- Yellow Group 3B. Current growthexposed to shade -- Yellow-Green Group 145A. Mature -- Greyed-GreenGroup 197C.

Foliage: appearing first week of February; early as cv. Monlers is incompletely dormant state and Aurea just beginning to break dormancy.

Arrangement.--Alternate.

Size.--Lower shaded leaves 2.0 cm to 1.3 cm long; 8 mm to 6 mm wideUpper sun exposed leaves 1.5 cm to 1 cm long; 4 mm to 6 mm wide.

Shape.--Spatulate to broadly spathulate.

Surface.--Glabrous on upper and lower surface. Margins: entire,spine-tipped at apex (aristate), base narrowing into petiole(attenuate).

Color.--New growth in February first week. Tips: Orange-Red Group 30C.Upper Leaf Surface: Yellow-Green Group 144A. Lower Leaf Area: GreenGroup 143C. Mature growth: In July. Upper Leaf Surface: Green-Yellowgroup 1B mixed with Yellow-Green 144B. Lower Leaf Surface: Yellow GreenGroup 144C.

Spines.--Sometimes 3 parted central spine 5 mM-9 mm; usually 1 prominentspine 3 mm-7 mm long.

Fruit.--Red in Autumn, similar in size and color to other Berberisthumbergii.

Disease resistance: This new selection has been approved as black stemrust resistant.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Berberis plant assubstantially shown and described herein that is characterizedparticularly as a novelty by the unique combination of early flowerclusters and yellowish foliage produced along terminal branch tips andan upright vase-shaped shrub habit with brilliant yellow mature foliagethat tolerates full sun without burning.